I make us third most likely side to win the league. I think Man City are most likely and Arsenal have a deep squad. Both of those have a better record over the last few years getting points than we do.
But there’s not that much in it and they are both vulnerable if they lose a couple of key players.
The build uo and reaction to the game at the weekend shows how hyped one or two teams and their players are. There is a feedback loop as they are over represented and discussed in the media. The last few days has shown how outside of our fanbase people still don’t get what we are capable of.
I’m not moaning about a media conspiracy although if one day they were more balanced and informed it would be nice. But I think sometimes it makes it harder for us to judge our level against some of these overhyped teams and players. I’m beginning to realise we’ve been a lot closer than I thought.
We’re not perfect but neither are those sides around us. We’ve got vulnerabilities but so have they. I thought we’d finish above Chelsea this season and we’d finish behind Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City. I was nervous about Newcastle and Spurs under Frank. Now I’m feeling pretty confident we could stay in the top 3.
Someone in the other games thread just mentioned Bacuna, it was like a wormhole to a parallel universe. These are crazy times.